’n Voorgestelde Nasionale Dialoog, die huidige verdeeldheid binne die Regering van Nasionale Eenheid, misdaadbekamping en ‘n einde aan korrupsie in Suid-Afrika is van die kwessies wat bespreek is tydens ‘n Vrydag-vergadering wat kerkleiers met president Cyril Ramaphosa en lede van sy kabinet gehou het.

“Dit was vir die SARK opmerklik dat die president bereid was om tyd opsy te sit vir in-diepte gesprek en moontlike oplossings oor hierdie ernstige nasionale aangeleenthede vir die land.” So sê die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad van Kerke (SARK) oor dié vergadering. Ds Jan Lubbe, moderator van die NG Kerk en dr Nioma Venter, algemene sekretaris, was deel van hulle afvaardiging, gelei deur SARK-president biskop Sithembele Sipuka.

Lees ook: ‘Genadige voorreg’ – Twee NG vroueleraars verkies op SARK-leierskap

Lees die volledige verklaring:

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE DESK OF REV MZWANDILE MOLO, GENERAL SECRETARY

SACC NATIONAL CHURCH LEADERS TABLE ISSUES OF NATIONAL INTEREST BEFORE PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Johannesburg, Saturday 12 April 2025:  As part of its commitment to the well-being of South Africans and our collective concern for the state of the nation, the South African Council of Churches (SACC)— led by the President of the SACC, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka— initiated a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and members of his Cabinet, to discuss matters of national and pastoral concern. The Presidency graciously welcomed the SACC leadership and national church leaders at the Union Buildings. 

The SACC was encouraged by President Ramaphosa’s acknowledgement of the role and contribution of the SACC in the history of South Africa as an invaluable contributor to peace and unity, as well as its continued relevance in the present—including its work during the COVID-19 pandemic. His recognition translated into a platform for open and honest conversation.

The following critical societal matters were tabled by various SACC church leaders before the President: the proposed National Dialogue, the ongoing war on crime, the fight to end corruption in South Africa, the need for more concerted and deliberate attention to the issue of National Healing and Reconciliation, leveraging the SA Presidency of the G20 to address the needs of the most vulnerable, the working relationship between Churches and various government departments such as the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa’s international relations, particularly in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, and the upcoming World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee, which South Africa has the honour to host.

Geborg

In unpacking the proposed National Dialogue, the SACC affirmed its support for the idea of a Dialogue, echoing the call by the SACC Conference in 2017 for a national conversation aimed at confronting societal fragmentation, moral deterioration, and loss of trust in public institutions. 

The church leaders emphasised that for the National Dialogue to have legitimacy with the people it aims to benefit, it must have integrity, which must start with the appointment of the Advisory Panel of Eminent Persons who have a level of independence to steer the process to the benefit of the country. The process must be free of the manipulation of political and economic elites. The SACC welcomed President Ramaphosa’s undertaking that the National Dialogue will bring together all sectors of society and encourage the participation of all South Africans. 

On the matter of corruption, the SACC shared its deep concern with the lack of visible speedy progress in the implementation of the Zondo Commission reports, the sense of impunity that is taking root in the country through the lack of prosecution of those who are in high places who have been fingered on corruption, the lack of consequence to those who have been implicated by the Zondo Commission Report who continue to exercise public office, and the pervasive nature of corruption that has now corroded even our value system. Relevant ministers who were in the meeting presented updates on the strategies and plans that are being implemented to fight corruption by the state. This work indicates efforts to combat corruption by government, and we motivate for further accelerated work to finally defeat the scourge of corruption as  a society.

Having raised its concerns about the high levels of crime and insecurity in the country, the SACC received reports from those ministers who were present, on the latest efforts that the state is undertaking to combat crime. The climate of insecurity that permeates all life in our country, from murder, robbery, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), extortion, kidnapping and fraud, is one that we agreed needs serious and urgent action by all in society. A call was made to intensify all our efforts to curb this pandemic that is destroying millions of lives of our people, with every effort to be explored in restoring hope in the justice system. The ministers expressed openness to working with the church leaders in these initiatives as there is an ever-present appetite for the prophetic voice of the Church in this context.

There was a deep call from the church leaders to confront the woundedness of South Africa’s people and address the resurgence of racism, sexism, tribalism and xenophobia among other issues, which pose a serious threat to our common future. We must all work to confront the divisions of the past and strive for a united country, where all races, tribes and people feel equally protected and honoured as part of one South African community. 

The church leaders raised their concerns on the current fracture in the Government of National Unity (GNU) formation; mentioning the dangerous political gamesmanship and grandstanding that has been witnessed, at the expense of resolving the urgent challenges of our nation. The time is now for all to work to unite our people for a common goal as we seek to resolve the pressing challenges of our people.     

Given the immensity and variety of the matters that were tabled, and the challenges of time, it was agreed that further commitments should be made to engage more thoroughly on the matters. 

It was noteworthy for the SACC that the President was willing to set aside time for in-depth conversation and possible resolution on these serious national matters for the country.

We continue to pray for God’s guidance and wisdom at all times.

ENDS

Member Church Representation at the meeting:

Attendees included:

1. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka – President, SACC
2. Ms Lulama Ntuta – 1st Vice President, SACC
3. Rev Dr Nioma Venter – 2nd Vice President, SACC
4. Rev Mzwandile Molo – General Secretary, SACC
5. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba – Anglican Church of Southern
6. Bishop Phumla Nzimande – The Methodist Church of Southern Africa 
7. Pastor Giet Khosa – International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC)
8. Moderator Shadrack Moloi – African Presbyterian Bafolisi Church
9. Bert Pretorius  – Rhema Family Churches South Africa
10. Lt Col Themba Mahlobo – Salvation Army Southern Africa Territory
11. Rev Louis Jansen – Volkskerk van Afrika
12. Rev Dr Thembelani Jentile – Baptist Convention Of South Africa
13. Rev Dr George Marchinkowski – Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa all Fellowships Group
14. Rev Moss Ntlha – The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa
15. Moderator Jan Lubbe – Dutch Reformed Church In Afrika/NGKA